Shai Hulud Hate Everyone

Shai Hulud guitarist (and mainstay) Matt Fox admits the title of his bands fourth effort is personal. Dubbed Misanthropy Pure, their Metal Blade debut is more a peek into his own personality quirks than a means of describing the bands confrontational blend of metal-influenced hardcore.

"I dont get along with people, shrugs the Poughkeepsie, New York transplant. "Being around me can be difficult. God forbid youre chewing too loud. I dont think Id like to be around me. That sucks because Im constantly disappointed in people when even I dont live up to my standards.

Perusing Shai Huluds roster, Foxs comments arent as tongue-in-cheek as you might think. Giving new meaning to the adage "revolving door, the bands current line-up of Fox, vocalist Matt Ian Mazzali, bassist Matthew Fletcher, drummer Andrew Gormley and guitarist Greg Thomas is a complete overhaul from their last effort, 2003s That Within Blood Ill-Tempered.
Foxs "high standards were vital to realising the career-best Misanthropy Pure though. Work began on the 11 rousing anthems in 2006 but was hampered by line-up changes, rewriting and scrutinising every aspect of recording. Moderately progressive while still retaining the bands sterile guitars and resounding rhythms, it once again pushes the boundaries of the metalcore genre Shai Hulud is credited with spawning.

"Recording has always been a bit of struggle, Fox admits. "Maybe were not as prepared or proficient as wed hope. At the same time, when you watch a year and a half in the life of Metallica, you think, Oh my god, who the hell wants to go through that? On a much smaller level, this was our Black Album: going over and over, rewriting and restructuring. Im as happy as with anything weve released, but theres something to be said for writing, recording and getting the fuck out. I hope we can do that next time.